The Hardy Boys The Ocean of Osyrin

It is a comic book, about an action adventure with lots of gadgets. It is based in the desert with the Hardy boys trying to find the stolen necklace. Being a comic style sometimes I found it hard to follow the sequence of the comic squares. It was a good book to read with an exciting, interesting and fun story line.
By Zana Yates-Walker

Authors' Choice. edited by Owen Marshall

Leading New Zealand writers, chosen by Owen Marshall, have chosen their favourite short stories in this collection published in 2001. The twenty-four stories are from well-known authors such as Barbara Anderson, C.K. Stead, Patricia Grace, Vincent O'Sullivan, Witi Ihimaera, Emily Perkins, Albert Wendt and the list of stars goes on.

At first I went to my favourite authors and was happy to find the stories were unfamiliar but as pithy and thought- provoking as ever. I also tried authors I didn't recognise, encouraged by each story being preceded by an explanation as to why the author chose the story for the collection. The reasons were as varied as the authors themselves, and I liked this insight into their thoughts.

I am a short story fan and thought it an interesting, varied collection. I would recommend Authors'Choice for high school English classes.

Stella Star

By Brigid Feehan Scholastic ISBN 1869436741

This was one of the last books left for me to read from my Natlib haul and it was with great trepidation and resignation that I finally picked it up to read, amazed at my self sacrifice and deligence to explore new material for the female students. A girly, woozy cover -Yick.

Well it wasn't too bad after all. Stella, at age 13, experiences changes and challenges over summer school holidays with family and friends. It was worth the read to find the section Brigid wrote re: Weird things about the Sutton parents. (Stellas neighbours) Particularly the description of Mrs Suttons lap. I found this delightfully funny and even laughed out loud!

I am sure young pre teen girls would enjoy this book and one I would recommend to them.

Oh yes - I got book 2 Maybe Stella in my bag too. OK, ok. I'll read it as well.

Incredible Inventions

Poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Harper Collins ISBN 0060872458
This book contains a range of poems each one about an invention, from straws to crayons to Velcro. All the poems are in chronological order of invention dates and at the end of the book they are all listed with information on creator and interesting facts about the item invented. Although I found some of the poems dull I did find the invention information rather interesting as did my 2 sons.

This book could be used as a catalyst to spark interest that could lead into an Inquiry unit within the class or library. Who invented the toothbrush, lightbulb or match? When? Where? Why? How?